MSB S202 Power Amplifier

BobK said:
Listening impressions so far? :)
Click to expand...

I was going to wait to do a more comprehensive review until I had done some further experimentation but since you asked. In short, I am flabbergasted. Like I said I was going to wait until I had tried different configurations which to date I have not. Those other configurations being a direct connection from the MSB Premier DAC to the S202 and the second being a passive switch from Goldpoint in place of my VAC Signature Mk II SE preamp. The break-in curve for this amp seemed almost nonexistent which lead me to instant satisfaction and greatly slowed down my desire to experiment. As I told MSB, if this is the best I ever get from this amp I will still remain in Heaven. If at a later date I find improvement by going DAC direct or by using a passive switch it will only be gravy . The standard accolades don’t apply but then they all do , musical , accurate, fast, large. But none of those really describe it . It just sounds real. I keep trying to sort out in my head what separates this Amp from every amp I have owned and the majority of amps I have heard in dealer showrooms and High End shows. I keep coming back to the same conclusion, decay. The decay just sounds right. There is no overly controlled truncation or artificial extension either. I was very happy with the very capable amp I had just purchased 6 months ago and if the dealer hadn't dropped an S202 off at my house to try I never would have known just how good it was. Once I did I couldn't wait to own one. I will follow up at a later date after I experiment with configurations but for now I just don't see any shortcomings only pleasure .
 
Thanks for sharing, Billt1! I hope I can listen to it soon. So happy to hear it has worked out so well for you. Sounds like a very special piece. Just curious why you are using the Goldpoint? Is it for your phono input?
 
BobK said:
Thanks for sharing, Billt1! I hope I can listen to it soon. So happy to hear it has worked out so well for you. Sounds like a very special piece. Just curious why you are using the Goldpoint? Is it for your phono input?
Click to expand...

In this system I also interface with home theater .The VAC preamp has a Home theater bypass . After very informative discussions with my Dealer and MSB I was given some suggestions . They tell me the Premier DAC has a very capable Preamp and of course the HT Processor has one as well. Having the additional VAC preamp may or may not be a necessary redundancy. The Goldpoint is just a passive switch and may replace the VAC preamp. It sounds so good right now I feel no need to rush. I will order it as it's only $400 and cheap enough to give it a whirl. If it sounds better with the VAC in place I'll keep it. Like I said, if this is the best the system has to offer I am more than delighted
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3204 2.jpg
    IMG_3204 2.jpg
    271.9 KB · Views: 232
Beautiful room and fantastic equipment. You don’t often see Wilson’s pulled out from the front wall. Well done! Bet it sounds great.
 
ravendog said:
Any updates on S202 impressions?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

My first impressions remain unchanged. I am always hesitant to state an opinion quickly after setting up a new piece of gear as often times the settling in softens the enthusiasm. Not this time. Not only is it a Steller performer sonically and visually the billet aluminum casework remains almost cool to the touch. That may sound inconsequential but I have amplifiers that change the room temperature . I did try the Premier DAC direct to S202 and I will say it was different. Was it better than going through the VAC preamp? Maybe maybe not. It was close enough I didn't feel I was shorting myself by using the preamp and It makes interfacing with other sources easy. So at least for now it stays. If the Premier was my only source I probably wouldn't use a preamp.
 
Congratulations on your continued enthusiasm for your MSB S202
 
Billt1, beautiful set up and so neat and elegant. May I ask If you try out different footers on the MSB amp?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Alectiong said:
Billt1, beautiful set up and so neat and elegant. May I ask If you try out different footers on the MSB amp?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The answer is yes no. I had already been using Critical Mass Center Stage 1.5 under my previous amp as well as 1.0 under other components and knew their benefit . So when I installed the amp I put the footers in at the same time. Some may object to to immediate installation of footers but it's no different than somebody with a high end rack, you wouldn't set it on the floor first listen to take the rack out of the equation you offer it the best you have. And thanks for the complements.
 
Billt1 said:
. But none of those really describe it . It just sounds real. I keep trying to sort out in my head what separates this Amp from every amp I have owned and the majority of amps I have heard in dealer showrooms and High End shows. I keep coming back to the same conclusion, decay. The decay just sounds right. There is no overly controlled truncation or artificial extension either. I was very happy with the very capable amp I had just purchased 6 months ago .
Click to expand...

The Sashas have a challenging low impedance and need a solid current from the amp - how would you rate the S202 in terms of that?
 
drPo said:
The Sashas have a challenging low impedance and need a solid current from the amp - how would you rate the S202 in terms of that?
Click to expand...

This is a good question. Tough impedance load speakers need an amp stable to 1ohm - like Luxman M900u or Gryphon (anything) or Boulder (any of their amps). The power rating of the 202 is 200 into 8, 380 into 4. That leads me to believe it may not be comfortable with sub 2ohm loads since typically amps that are will continue to double down to 2 ohms — 200->400->800. I will need to investigate. The B&W 800/802D3’s for example have some tough loads below 2ohms. When we tried them on amps which were not comfortable below 4ohms, what we heard was just a lack of bass/mid bass. The amp just couldn’t produce those frequencies or struggled to do so.

Suffice it to say, on normal speaker loads - like the Magico’s, Vivid’s, etc., the 202 is a wonderful little amp and pairs great with the MSB DAC’s. But for me, I would be looking at S500/M500. I lived with the S500 for a long time....it’s terrific with the MSB DAC’s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top